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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Would your own name work as a baby name now?

233 replies

Dustyblue · 31/01/2022 04:55

Mine wouldn't, I don't think.

It's Belinda, but I go by variations of it. Was very popular in Australia in the 70's. But I can't remember the last time I heard of a baby named Belinda.

Do you have a nice timeless name or a dated one like mine?

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AllThingsServeTheBeam · 04/02/2022 22:51

Yes mine would. It's a Disney Princess, but missing a letter

SignOnTheWindow · 04/02/2022 22:50

@Dustyblue

Mine wouldn't, I don't think.

It's Belinda, but I go by variations of it. Was very popular in Australia in the 70's. But I can't remember the last time I heard of a baby named Belinda.

Do you have a nice timeless name or a dated one like mine?

Mine is biblical and was never hugely popular in the UK. At 43 I'm the youngest person I've ever met with my name. If I Google my full name, I get pages of Jewish female academics in their 60s, which is kind of cool and great for my own Internet anonymity!

Belinda is a really lovely name, btw.

SpikeySmooth · 04/02/2022 22:37

1970s popular name. Not many of us around now, but foreign takes on it are more popular. In fact, when I went to visit my DH's rellies in Italy, I was called the Italian version and I preferred it.

GuiltyPleasure · 04/02/2022 22:36

My name hasn't ever been popular, but neither is it outlandish. I've actually seen it suggested as a nice name on these boards. I don't think it defines me by age. It was apparently a made up name from some 18th century author. There's a few of us around, but it's unusual enough that I always comment if I meet another one of me! I hate the usual diminutives of my name, but generally people only call me by my initial, which is sort of a nickname, but I like it, more than my actual name.

CharlieBoo · 04/02/2022 22:31

I think mine would work.. (Lucy) but I wouldn’t choose it myself for a baby

StrychnineIntheSandwiches · 04/02/2022 22:17

@Tams321

I don't think mine was popular at the time and hasn't been since! Tammie!
Tammie Terrell was an amazing singer and doesn't have the acclaim she deserves. A great namesake!
Hyenaormeercat · 04/02/2022 22:11

Very 50s and early 60s name in the cohort with Jackie, Christine, Gillian, Sharon and Tracey ...can't see it coming back anytime soon..

Tams321 · 04/02/2022 21:47

I don't think mine was popular at the time and hasn't been since! Tammie!

StrychnineIntheSandwiches · 04/02/2022 21:44

Jackie would have been seen as such a glamorous name back in the 60s and 70s with Jackie O and Jacqueline Bisset. Jackies are always good fun.

jackstini · 04/02/2022 21:41

Nope.
I done think Jackie was a great baby name at any point!

Kshhuxnxk · 04/02/2022 21:34

Yes sadly it's rather common now 😔

YouPrettyThings · 04/02/2022 21:30

I'm a Karen. I actually like my name... I don't see it making a comeback anytime soon for obvious reasons 😒

ZebraKid71 · 04/02/2022 21:13

Mine probably would.. its in a similar vein to Ottilie in that I've heard of none growing up (minus one friend I met at uni) but in the past few years I have heard it more so, though not as much as Ottilie). It is very unusual and quite quirky which ironically seems to be in demand these days!

midsomermurderess · 04/02/2022 15:16

Yes, and some. I think it might be peaking but it and variations of it have been terrifically popular for the last few years. It was vanishingly-rarely used when I was a kid and I don't know anyone of my age called it.

Crowdfundingforcake · 04/02/2022 10:41

Probably viewed as slightly dated, but it's pretty classic, simple, easy to spell and pronounce. There are always a few on the ONS data, it's often used as a middle name I think. Thanks to Frozen a slightly longer version has been a bit more popular recently!

Original poster
Dustyblue · 04/02/2022 10:30

@Tiny837

I'm a Kelly-Marie. Was born '83 (very popular),was at least 10 in my year at school. Just don't hear babies called Kelly anymore and I love my name
I'm 9 years older than you, and went to school with a few Kelly's. And Tracey's, and Michelle's.

I quite like Kelly. It's uncomplicated and pretty.

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Original poster
Dustyblue · 04/02/2022 10:24

@HiThereItsMaxine

Never liked my name in my youth but learnt to love it as an adult... until I came on MN, that is. It has been suggested a few times on baby name threads as due a revival. Someone called it "cool" someone else "kickass", but it was overwhelmingly deemed "awful". So, in short, NO.

It's Maxine.

When I was pregnant 6 years ago, Maxine was on my girls list!

A girl called Max appealed, but I also think it's a simple but strong name.

I also had Veronica, another name I haven't heard for yonks. And Stephanie, now there's dated!

OP posts:
Bells3032 · 03/02/2022 22:47

Mine seems to be far more common than I was a kid. Could never get anything personalised back then... Now it's fairly common. The diminutive form is even more common.

poolblue · 03/02/2022 22:47

@Warmhandscoldheart

No, mine's very dated. Only women I know called it are in the late 50's - 70 age range. It's a character from a children's book
Hmmm, I'm thinking Wendy?
haveyouopenedyourbowelstoday · 03/02/2022 22:34

Mine is fairly timeless. Rises and falls in popularity (I'm 51 and there were 6 of us in my year in school) but it is still around. Biblical in origin.

beetuljoos · 03/02/2022 22:31

I would have thought mine was very 80s/90s but I work in a school and it's actually still really common.

Cam2020 · 03/02/2022 22:25

My name is Welsh and fairly unusual (apart from being a song from the 70s).

If it's what I'm thinking of, that's a beautiful name (and song).

HiThereItsMaxine · 03/02/2022 21:10

Never liked my name in my youth but learnt to love it as an adult... until I came on MN, that is.
It has been suggested a few times on baby name threads as due a revival. Someone called it "cool" someone else "kickass", but it was overwhelmingly deemed "awful". So, in short, NO.

It's Maxine.

tearinghairout · 03/02/2022 21:03

I think Deborah is gorgeous.

Hijkl · 03/02/2022 19:01

No! It's biblical but very 60s/70s and often described on here as dated and frumpy.
It's Deborah

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